WICHITA FALLS, TX – Preparations are in full swing at the Wichita Falls Country Club for the second annual Women’s All Pro Tour (WAPT) Wichita Falls Championship.
“We are thrilled to host this tournament for the second year in a row,” said Mark Greer, Head Golf Professional at the Wichita Falls Country Club. These young ladies are incredibly athletically talented, and we are privileged to watch them hone their craft right here in Wichita Falls before they advance to the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) Tour.”
Held at the Wichita Falls Country Club, the WAPT Wichita Falls Championship Tournament will kick off Monday, April 11 with a one-day Pro-Am Golf Tournament that will be open to the public. Members and non-members can purchase a team of three golfers; each team of three will then be paired with one professional female golfer from the Tour. Teams can also request to be paired with a specific professional golfer of their choosing. The deadline to purchase a team is Saturday, April 9.
“Within the past 20 years, interest in Ladies Professional Golf has surged,” said Don Ciota, General Manager at the Wichita Falls Country Club. “Projections show that prize money for LPGA tournaments will double in the coming years. The ladies on the Women’s All Pro Tour are major competitors, and we will very likely see them advance to the top tier of their sport soon.”
The LPGA’s inaugural event for 2022 yielded record viewership—356,000 viewers—up 69% from 2020’s showing. In addition to more lucrative prizes, the growth in viewership and interest is yielding larger sponsorships for female golfers playing on tours.
Despite the nationwide growth, Head Pro Mark Greer says he has seen little interest in golf among younger females in the Wichita Falls area.
“Unfortunately, I don’t see very many young ladies picking up a golf club within our local market,” Greer said. “Our goal is for this this tournament to spark interest in ladies’ golf within our community. Few young ladies and parents in this area are aware of the incredible scholarship opportunities available for talented female golfers. Golf has significantly fewer participants than other, more popular sports, so there’s a lot more room for young golfers to advance, stand out, and be rewarded for their efforts.”
Following Monday’s Pro-Am Tournament, the WAPT Wichita Falls Championship will begin. Championship Tournament play will take place from 8 AM – 3 PM daily, and spectatorship is open to the public.
“We encourage everyone with an interest in golf to come to the Club and watch this dynamic event,” said General Manager Don Ciota. “We will have concessions open to the public, and we would love to have a big crowd full of golf fans of all ages.”
Spectators are encouraged to bring umbrellas, blankets, and chairs. Coolers and outside food or drink are prohibited.
“This is the only professional sporting event held in the greater Texoma area,” said Greer. “We encourage the public to attend and to bring their aspiring young golfers to watch these women chase their dreams.”
NOTE: The Wichita Falls Country Club is a private multi-use golf and leisure club established in 1914.
